Some races are a celebration of fitness. Others, a test of will. Boston 2025 was the latter for me.
I crossed the finish line in 3:39:37—not my fastest, not my smoothest, but perhaps one of the most hard-earned finishes of my life. From the start, I knew this wasn’t going to be my day. My ITB and knee had been warning me in the lead-up. I knew I was going to suffer… I just didn’t realize how much.
The first half went by with cautious optimism. I told myself to listen to my body, not the clock. But by mile 14, the pain set in hard. Every step from there was a negotiation between my mind and my body. My goal shifted from racing to simply finishing.
And just when the mental fatigue was setting in, the cheers from Wellesley College hit me like a surge of adrenaline. That stretch—famous for a reason—lifted my spirits and surprisingly, even my pace. It was a reminder of the energy and magic this course holds.
In the last 10 kilometers, I must’ve thought about stopping at least a hundred times. But I didn’t. Maybe it was the crowd, maybe it was the spirit of Boston, maybe it was just sheer stubbornness—but I kept going.
One of the challenges I faced during the race was Hydration. I’m used to running self-supported with my hydration pack. But Boston’s race rules meant no packs—so I had to rely on the water stations, which slowed me down more than I anticipated though I have been training for the race with hydration bests. It disrupted my rhythm, but I adapted. On the plus side, nutrition was on point—I took all 8 gels I’d planned, right on schedule. That likely played a big role in helping me push through the pain.
Crossed the line hurting, but proud. Another Boston Qualifier—yet I can honestly say: never again. Not because Boston isn’t magical (it absolutely is), but because some battles don’t need to be repeated to prove you’re a fighter.
Sometimes, finishing is winning.
Eat, Run, Live, Sleep, Repeat 
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